8 Latin Kings Members Charged In Shootings

WATERBURY — Eight members of the Latin Kings, including several high-ranking leaders, were arrested by city police Wednesday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, police said.

The charges stemmed from a shooting Sept. 26 in which gang members opened fire on a family on East Clay Street, mistaking them for members of Los Solidos, a rival gang, said Sgt. Robert Henderson.

"They saw movement and they started shooting," Henderson said.

Two women were wounded by shots from a large-caliber firearm, police said. The identities of the women were withheld because they fear for their safety, police said.

Over the last few weeks, tension between the two local branches of the gangs has heightened, a result of disputes between the gangs in Hartford, police said. There have been drive-by shootings and exchanges of gunfire, Henderson said.